SPECIALIST INSTRUCTION

A specialist instruction credential authorizes the holder to work as a specialist in the area
designated. Specialty preparation requires advanced preparation and special
competence. Minimum requirements for this credential are:

A valid basic teaching credential.

Advanced specialized and professional preparation as established by Commission
guidelines.

A GPA of 3.0 or better is required for course work listed on the Credential Approved
Program (CAP) and a grade of "C" or better must be earned in every course attempted.

The Bilingual Specialist Credential and Language Development Specialist Credential
have now been changed by the State of California, Commission on Teacher
Credentialing. These changes have been made because of the great demand for
teachers of limited English proficient (LEP) students. The Department of Administration
and Interdisciplinary Studies will not accept new students into these programs (effective
Fall 1993). The new program replacement for the Bilingual Specialist is the
Bilingual–Cross-Cultural Academic Development (BCLAD) program. The replacement for
the Language Development Specialist is the Cross-Cultural Academic Development (CLAD)
program. These options are currently available as part of the Multiple Subject Credential
program at San Francisco State.

The Single Subject Credential program at San Francisco State plans to initiate the
CLAD/BCLAD emphasis in Spring 1995.

A program meeting the guidelines for the Reading and Language Arts Specialist
Credential has been approved by the Commission on Teacher Credentialing. The
program may be used as a "fifth year" for the clear Multiple Subject or Single Subject
credentials or combined with a master's degree program in either Elementary or
Secondary Education.

Prerequisites

A Commission-approved reading methods course, or a passing score on the
Commission's examination for the teaching of reading. Approved reading courses at San
Francisco State University are:
S ED 620 Reading in the Secondary School (3)
E ED 682 The Teaching of Reading (4)

Teaching Experience

Successful completion of one year of teaching experience in a classroom situation must
be verified in writing by the administrations involved in the settings where the experience
took place. Types of acceptable experience should be verified by the candidate's
credential adviser. Note: Candidates may complete the course work for the reading
specialist credential without the one year's teaching experience. However, the
credential cannot be issued until experience is verified.

A program implementing guidelines for the Special Education Specialist Credential has
been approved by the Commission on Teacher Credentialing. The program consists of a
generic component plus specialization in one of the following areas:

Prerequisites

A valid California basic teaching credential.

A minimum grade point average of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale. The Severely Handicapped
Specialization requires a grade point average of 3.0 or better in the last 60 units of
university course work and three letters of recommendation.

Additional Information

In some cases students may elect to take additional work in another specialization and
be qualified in two areas. Students are advised to contact the department office to
inquire about procedures for application to a second area of specialization.

The program may be a "fifth year" for a clear teaching credential or combined with a
Master of Arts in Special Education.

Resource Specialist Certificate of Competence. Details of this program can be found
after the Visually Handicapped program.

An undergraduate major in Communicative Disorders is desirable for admission to the
Communicative Disorders program under the Communication Handicapped
Specialization.

See the Clinical Rehabilitation Services Credential in Orientation and Mobility for program
requirements of the Orientation and Mobility emphasis, previously offered under the
Physically Handicapped Specialization.

Possession of the Resource Specialist Certification entitles the holder to serve as a
Resource Specialist in any school district or public or private agency operating under the
provisions of the California Master Plan for Special Education. The Resource Specialist
Certificate is issued by the Commission on Teacher Credentialing upon the completion of
the following requirements and the recommendation of the department program
coordinator.

Prerequisites

Possession of a valid California basic teaching credential.

Possession of a valid California Special Education Specialist credential.

In order to qualify for certification through San Francisco State University, the following
conditions must be met:

File an application for admission to the program and be formally admitted.

Maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA for continuance in the program.

Complete three years of full-time teaching prior to taking the final course in the program.
Must be distributed 1/3–2/3 between regular and special education classrooms.

Substitution of Requirements

Substitutions of course and practicum requirements can be granted where candidates
have prior transcript credit where required skill, knowledge, and performance
competencies have been mastered and verified. Requests for substitutions are reviewed
and approved by the Faculty Review Committee.